Today's Term:
Evangelical Counsels
Are voluntary poverty, perpetual chastity and entire obedience. Their observance is not necessary to salvation; they are a rule of perfection put forward to be voluntarily taken up by those who find in themselves the vocation to do so. They are not perfection itself, but instruments for its attainment, for maintaining and strengthening love of God and one's neighbor. ( A Catholic Dictionary By Donald Attwater)
From the Catechism: No. 915
Christ proposes the evangelical counsels, in their great variety, to every disciple. The perfection of charity, to which all the faithful are called, entails for those who freely follow the call to consecrated life the obligation of practicing chastity in celibacy 
for the sake of the Kingdom, poverty and obedience. It is the profession of these counsels, within a permanent state of life recognized by the Church, that characterizes the life consecrated to God.
for the sake of the Kingdom, poverty and obedience. It is the profession of these counsels, within a permanent state of life recognized by the Church, that characterizes the life consecrated to God.
The Secular Carmelite professes chastity, poverty, and obedience according to his state of life. The profession of chastity in no way takes away from the duties of the married. It is a call to live a chaste life in one's state of life.
The Secular Carmelite professes poverty, he does not necessarily have to give up all his worldly possessions. It is a call to live a life free of attachments to material things and a call to be a witness to the heavenly Kingdom in our materialistic world.
The Secular Carmelite professes obedience to the Superiors of the Order, and to the local Council who represent them.
It takes six years for one to discern his call to Carmel and realize if he is truly called to live the evangelical counsels in community and to make the commitment permanent by a public profession of promises.
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
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